Labornet Japan is a network of citizens, unionists, activists, scholars and others from all walks of life to share information especially about rights and struggles in and outside of Japan. Established in 2001, the group now has more than 500 members, and the membership is growing. The English site introduces some reports shared on Labornet Japan website and other sources outside of Japan.

Sunday, November 25, 2012

Eighteen months have passed since the
disaster of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. More and more
subcontract nuclear power plant workers consult with lawyers, being worried for
possible damage on their health. According to lawyers of a defense team for
nuclear power plant workers, most of the workers hesitate to speak out for fear
of their future employment. However, Mr. A (photo. 46 years old) was different.
He has been employed by a secondary subcontractor of Kandenko that has close
ties with Tokyo Electric Power Company, the operator of the crippled nuclear
power plant, working at nuclear power plants for nearly seven years. On October
30, 2012, he requested the Tomioka Labor Standards Inspection Office to correct
the violation of the Industrial Safety and Health Act by the TEPCO and
Kandenko. On November 1, Mr. A revealed what is going on in nuclear power
plants at a press conference at the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare
together with the defense team members, “We have to do even something ‘suicidal’
in an ‘unspeakably’ dangerous environment”. (MATSUMOTO Chie)

* Photo: Press conference at the Ministry
of Health, Labor and Welfare on November 1